Community

Location...

Approximately 30 miles north of Philadelphia in Bucks County, Southeast Pennsylvania

Size...

Approximately 95 square miles with a total population of 45,000

Area...

Eight municipalities including the boroughs of Dublin, Perkasie, Sellersville, and Silverdale; the townships of Bedminster, East Rockhill, Hilltown, and West Rockhill

Enrollment and Schools

There are seven elementary schools, grades K–5; three middle schools, grades 6-–8; and one high school, grades 9–12. Anticipated enrollment at the elementary level—3,168, middle school level—1,579, and high school level—2,365, for an approximate total enrollment of 7,292.

Professional Staff

Pennridge employs 484 teachers, 75% with advanced degrees. Over 450 additional staff members are employed, including part-time personnel. These staff members consist of teaching assistants, custodians, maintenance, secretaries and clerks, aides, and transportation personnel, emergency personnel, and administrators. There are district-wide curriculum supervisors in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Department coordinators articulate the subject areas of foreign languages, technology education, family and consumer science, physical education, business education, art, and music.

Curriculum

The Pennridge School District has scheduled an ambitious curriculum renewal process which revolves around its Strategic Plan. The district has identified the integration of technology to improve instructional effectiveness as a top priority.

In the elementary schools, communication skills are taught throughout the curriculum. Social Studies is being connected to language arts as an interdisciplinary learning project. The emphasis is on hands-on learning in science and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards are being integrated into all mathematics instruction.

At the middle school level, students will have the opportunity to study algebra and/or a first year foreign language. More emphasis is being placed on computer literacy both in computer education classes and throughout the curriculum. In addition to team-based instruction in academic subjects, middle school students explore a variety of specialty areas.

The high school offers a comprehensive array of rigorous course selections that allows students to prepare for college and/or a vocation.  Sixteen Advanced Placement (AP) courses have been approved by the College Board and two more AP courses are awaiting approval.  Students in grades 10–12 may attend the Upper Bucks Vocational-Technical School for more in-depth preparation in an area of vocational interest. Over 84% of Pennridge seniors go on to college or institutions of higher learning.

Special Education Programs

Special programs and classes are available for students in need of gifted programs, life skills support, emotional support, learning support, autistic support, speech and language support, hearing support, visually impaired support and multiple disabilities support.

College Bound Students

Of the 587 students in the class of 2007, 50% are attending four year colleges, 29% are attending two-year institutions, 5% are attending other post-secondary schools, 2% are entering the military and 13% are entering the workforce.

Average SAT Scores

In the class of 2007, 72% of the student body took the SAT. Average scores as reported by the college board were 498 Critical Reading, 489 Writing and 524 Math.

Budget, Taxes, Per Pupil Costs

2007–2008 Budget — $103,216,785
Real Estate Millage — 111.69 mills on assessed value of real estate
One percent real estate transfer tax shared with each municipality
One percent earned income tax
Approximate per pupil cost — $11,780

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Last update 12/16/07